HOUSTON -- When first they unveiled the Wildcat in Week 11, the Houston Texans surprised their opponent.
The tricks they used against the New York Jets weren't tricks they'd showed before. And so, on that day, the Texans ran seven Wildcat plays with running back Jonathan Grimes and receiver Cecil Shorts key figures in their success. They gained 48 yards and three first downs, helping backup quarterback T.J. Yates lead them to a 24-17 win.
But the element of surprise is critical to the success of Wildcat plays. It's gone now.